A new enhanced real estate classified site has finally (deep breath) launched.

"We’re grassroots, so it will take some time to grow, but the seeds have been planted and the framework is in place." The founders of the site said.

I went over to the site and I think it will do great. It is a new site so there is currently not alot of classifieds right now, but give it some time (like a week) and I bet there will be a plethora of information.

TimeOut.com has named Bayside, NY a less trendy hood to live in. So if you are a "lactating lemmings" you don't have to schlep all the way to Park Slope to move into a kid friendly, weed wacking neighborhood - just move on out to Bayside NY.

April 25, 2007

11358 -LOWEST priced home: $469,000Two bedroom attached Colonial home which has: a living room, dining room, eat in kitchen, one full bath. There is also a partial basement/garage area that houses the laundry room. This house is also so close to St. Mel's School (160th and 26th ave.), taxes $2495.00

This to me a great starter home for anyone. Looking to downsize? Need Low Maintenance?

Highest??

11358 -HIGHEST priced home: $1,690,000This is a four bedroom One family NEW construction home in the heart of Flushing North. This Colonial features alot of stuff - but I am not even going to begin to describe it. I feel that this home is way over priced for a one family home - new or not. It is only sitting on a property of 60x100. Taxes are unverified.

April 24, 2007

Oh Man, I think this should be tagged "the World of Oh MY Gawd" - Seriously. Rules are made but the makers are abolished from their own rules.

In Queens NY, there is a rule that clearly states: an above ground pool in a residential backyard needs to sit at least 5 feet from the lot line of either side. But, if you were Councilman Tony Avella - you can have the pool 2 feet away from the lot line. No really, you can - he does.

Today, the New York Times had an article entitled "Poolside, Ripples of Discontent" about Queens, City Councilman Tony Avella's pool and how "...the placement of the pool violates the city’s zoning rules, specifically a “quality of life” requirement ..."

Mr. Avella states that the pool has sat there for over fifteen years and he really does not even know why that rule (must be at least five feet from the lot line) is in existence. But the funny this is - Mr. Avella is the chairman of the Council’s zoning committee and he is most certainly one of the loudest foes of the Department of Buildings.

Anyhow, the rule was made in the 1960's and has been followed ever since (unless you are Avella, then you don't have to follow). The rule was made so other neighbors can enjoy their own yards without all the splashing from either neighbors yards. Kinda makes sense.. no?

This anonymous complaint was said to be issued sometime in November 2005 and the hearing kept getting pushed back (notice, I never said he removed the pool) until April 2007. I would have to think that Mr. Avella was trying to speak to people to try to resolve the issue - his way.

After the hearing, Mr Avella held a press conference in his backyard and stated that he suspects that he will lose the hearing but if that happens "he will most likely sue the city to draw more attention to the rule and get it changed or abolished, an action that would require approval from the City Planning Commission."

He also said that for now the pool will remain right where it is and its about the issue- Mr. Avella said, “and not just going along.”

- There you have it folks, this will be our man who will be running for Mayor in 2009!

April 20, 2007

I strive to understand a persons outlook and I want to understand why people do things that they do. I try to listen and add my opinion about, ohh just about everything! Some people might say that I am pig headed, bullish and perhaps stubborn. Yeah, maybe. I have my convictions but I can also see both sides (let me say I TRY), before I come to my own opinions.

When a homeowner is looking to buy or sell one of the first things that they should do is Google their area. This is a great tool to see who is active on the internet and who is not. I havewritten many posts about how a person should hire an agent. If you don't see your Aunt Sally's friends daughter coming up on any internet search then my first suggestion is to stay away from that agent. If the agent can not take time to get your listing onto the internet other than Realtor.Com then they are doing a huge disservice to the seller!

I came across a consumer blog which is documenting the sale of his own home and I find that it is very enlightening. He is not bashing Realtors even though he has had a "nightmare" experience. The blog HomeSellerExperience.com is a must read for anyone who is looking to buy or sell their home. This would be a great example of consumers educating themselves. The gentleman even joined the Active Rain Blog to read what other Realtors were talking about. When he first joined Active Rain, he felt that this would be equivalent to the "My Space" for Realtors, which he might be sort of right. His blog is very informative and he even has his home for sale on his blog (Nice Touch!). All in all, his last post on Active Rain was show stopping and I give him kudos for educating himself!

April 19, 2007

There is always two sides to each coin. Perhaps some people will insist that stocks are a better investment and maybe some people will fight tooth and nail to say that Real Estate is a better bang for your buck. In an article today on CnnMoney, there is a breakdown with these five main points. Use your judgment and you decide, which is better?

Round 1. Performance. Cnn States that over the long run, stocks are hard to beat.

Round 2. Leverage. Round two for Real Estate. The article states that the leverage that alot of homeowner acquired is unbeatable.

Round 3. Costs. Ok, I would have to bet that the cost of buying a home as opposed to stocks gets beat hands down. Stocks win 2 rounds.

April 18, 2007

I was asked to post information about a rally that will be taking place this Saturday in front of 69-57 185 Street, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.

Ok, normally I would not become involved in something of this sort, but when I pulled up the building information, I discovered that there is currently 32 undisputed complaints. Granted some of the complaints (32 of them) are frivolous, but some are valid and there have been violations (6) that have been issued. What the neighbors are most upset at is that there was a stop work order issued and guess what? The work has not stopped!

"CALLER STATE THAT THERE IS A DOOR AT THIS CONSTRUCTION SITEIS A DANGER TO THOSE WHO PASS BY DUE TO THE WIND ROCKING DOOR ONTOSIDEWALK PLEASE INVESTIGATE" - 04/04/2007 - - I2 - NO ACTION NECESSARY BASED UPON PHYSICAL OBSERVATION

"CALLER STS THAT THERE ARE NO POSTED SIGNS THAT LET YOU KNOWWHERE TO CALL IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT" - 04/04/2007 - - I2 - NO ACTION NECESSARY BASED UPON PHYSICAL OBSERVATION-

April 17, 2007

"Blogging is certainly nothing new...by now, you've probably read a few blogs on different topics yourself. Real Estate agents are now getting in on this fast growing trend. They're doing it to not only generate more business, but also to educate home buyers and sellers about the market conditions...and what they're seeing first hand. Beejal takes a look at the growing trend."

One of Sellsius' top ten female bloggers, Fran Bailey speaks to a Chicago Reporter about blogging. What is so interesting is that more and more bloggers are becoming picked because of their local input and not really because of their national input. With Technorati spiking at about 72 million blogs I find that it is important to keep my information local based and while I do tend to speak about some national companies on occassion, my ultimate goal is to keep it real, keep it simple and keep it close to home.